Meet ... Me!

I am a semi-solitary Druid and Irish Kitchen Witch.  A Kitchen Witch aka a Green or Hedge Witch (at least by my definition) is a Pagan who chooses to use folk magic, herb lore and other natural and ancient tools, as well as common objects found around the home, as part of her (or his) religious practices. I keep my Holy Day and lunar rituals very simple and basic, whether I work with others or on my own.  I enjoy the spontaneity and fun it brings.  I am not Wiccan.  I am drawn to the Irish and Norse deities and Druidic practices (being of Irish descent myself) as well as Avalonian/Arthurian lore. I enjoy reading, cooking, using my computer, investigating the mysteries of the universe and learning what makes people tick. I study the Tarot, astrology, runes,  Santeria & Voudou, metaphysics, the occult, and mythology. I have studied a variety of books and spoken with many others in the community in that time.  I am a healer, a priestess, a teacher, a student, a warrior, a wife, a Kitchen Witch and a techno-pagan.  I have been a member of ADF (Ar nDraiocht Fein) since 1999 and I am working on their Dedicant Program.  I'm excited about finding a group of people who have similar (but not identical) viewpoints and take their scholarship seriously.  I am also a member of the Ring of Troth.  I find the discussions on their mailing lists to be quite lively and thought-provoking.

When I first began practicing and studying Paganism and Witchcraft  in 1986, I intended to join a coven.  I did make contact with a few groups active in New York City.  However I quickly realized a few  things: 1) my beliefs and practices would not click with the covens I had met; 2) my schedule was too erratic to allow me to commit myself to attending regular meetings; 3) I do not follow orders very well; and 4) I enjoyed learning at my own pace. At that time there weren’t many books aimed at Solitaries.  Most of the published work either dealt with group work or ritual magic.  I can still remember the first 2 books on Witchcraft that I purchsed.  One was The Witches Bible Vols 1 & 2 by Janet and Stewart Farrar; the second was The Magic Power of Witchcraft  by Gavin and Yvonne Frost.  The Farrars' books proved very useful but their ritual work was geared towards groups.  The Frosts' book was good for a chuckle but that was about it.  I was very lucky to find Witchcraft for Tomorrow & Natural Witchcraft by Doreen Valiente and Wicca:  A Guide for the Solitary Practioner by Scott Cunningham.  Aside from the material in these books, the bibliographies were invaluable.  I did find useful things in books geared towards group rituals (specifically Spiral Dance by Starhawk and The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries by Z. Budapest) but I also began developing a feeling that I wasn’t truly a Witch unless I belonged to a coven.  It’s only in the last 5 years that this feeling has decreased. I hope this web site will help other Solitary Witches find their way along the path.  I’ve come to the conclusion that one of the great strengths of Pagamisn is that it can be anything to anyone. Some people focus solely on the Goddess, others combine various pantheons, some are reconstructionists and still others are Kitchen or Hedge Witches. It almost reminds me of the Vulcan belief in I.D.I.C. (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations) on Star Trek.  I hope that is one thing our community never loses.

I must to being something of a traditionalist.  I'm not as thorough as a Celtic Reconstructionist but I have to admit that when I see people making statements about Celtic (or Norse) traditions that I know aren't true I become very impatient.  For example the concept of Maiden-Mother-Crone  (M-M-C) is not a Celtic one.  They did have triple deities but I have not come across any writings which indicate that the Celts view these triple goddesses as M-M-C.  They were more often viewed as 3 mature women representing different aspects - such as the Triple Bride who was the matron of Smiths, Poets and Healers.  I also disagree rather vehemtly with the concept that all god/desses are one and that all gods are solar and all goddesses are lunar.  Evidence has proven that the Norse and Celts has Solar goddesses (as did other cultures).  I am also not a fan of combining different pantheons in the same ritual (but that might be due to family history - we just couldn't have Dad's family and Mom's at the same party without a problem).  But these are my personal peeves and are not meant to change anyone's opinion.

One of the greatest resources for other solitary Pagams is the Internet.  Mailing lists and on-line chats are a way to reach others all across the globe and to compare notes and share ideas - webweaving.  Many times I have felt the lightbulb go on over my head after reading a post from another Pagan. Another excellent resource for solitary Pagans are magazines and journals.  There are several excellent ones available covering a variety of topics. Two of my personal favorites are SageWoman and PanGaia . I am also familiar with Circle Network News, and The Beltane Papers.